Mark chapter 1

John *baptises Jesus

Verses 1-8

Before Jesus began his special work for God, there was John the
*Baptist.

Mark uses words from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 to describe Johnís
work. People prepared the roads before a king came. And John prepared people before
Jesus came. John told them that they were doing many wrong things. They must change
their minds, because the *Lord was coming.

John did not go into the towns. He stayed near the river Jordan.
But people came to him. Large crowds came. They listened to the words that he
spoke. They believed that he was right. They asked him to *baptise them.

Verses 9-11

People came across the country called Israel to meet John. They came
from Judea (that is, the south). And they came from Galilee (that is, the
north).

Jesus was among the people who came. And John *baptised him. Then
something happened that surprised John. The sky seemed to open. The *Holy
Spirit came from *heaven. And then the *Holy Spirit came upon Jesus.

And God spoke from *heaven. He said that Jesus was his son.

Verses 12-13

Jesus left John. Jesus did not return to the towns yet. Instead,
he prayed for 40 days. No people were there, but Godís *angels were with Jesus.

During those 40 days, *Satan spoke to Jesus. *Satan wanted Jesus
not to obey God.